4.5 out of 5 stars
Death
can’t take a joke, published by The Friday Project/Harper Collins, the
second novel by Anya Lipska, continues following two lead characters, Natalie
Kershaw – a tough “girl-policeman” and Janusz Kiszka – a Polish private eye; plus an assortment of
characters supporting the duo throughout. Detective Sergeant "Streaky" Bacon, Oskar, Ben and of course, the bad guys, are fantastic
creations and drive a highly realistic and accurate plot.
When Jim Fulford misses a pint in the pub with Kiszka, a chain of events is
begun that leads the reader around Walthamstow, Canary Wharf and into the world
of organised crime, illegal imports and prostitution.
Lipska writes believable characters, characters who leap off the page and would
not be out of place in London and the world. Kershaw is a strong female
character. She is more than happy to look after herself, she stands up for her
principles and has unwavering convictions and morals. Kershaw is a refreshing
character in literature and she is also unique. I can think of few other
examples, from my personal reading list, of who she could compare with.
Janusz Kiszka is similar. He is depicted as a gentleman. A man who seeks to
protect women from abusers, a man who cooks, a man who has the best interests
of his family and friends at heart but isn’t so passive he has lost his ability
to drink, carouse and get himself into the odd scrape.
I wish I could phrase my praise in a better way. All I can say is thank you
Anya and that I’m waiting with great anticipation for the next adventure with
two of my favourite literature mates.
A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar by Suzanne Joinson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Disclaimer : Copy received via Goodreads First Reads
It is 1923 and Evangeline English, keen lady cyclist, arrives with her sister Lizzie and their zealous leader Millicent at the ancient city of Kashgar to establish a mission. As they encounter resistance and calamity, Eva commences work on her book "A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar..."
First problem, Evangeline doesn't own a bike, nor has she ridden one, until she embarks on the mission.
Second problem, Millicent isn't so much a zealot as an annoying, faux religious, maybe lesbian. The character is so under developed you barely notice her when she's not being nasty.
Third problem, Eva doesn't really write a book about cycling as she only rides the bike once and the rest of the time she pushes it, loaded up with items or its in the back of a cart.
In present-day London another story is beginning. Frieda, a young woman adrift in her own life, opens her frond door one night to find a man sleeping on the landing. In the morning is is gone, leaving on the wall an exquisite drawing of a long tailed bird and a line of Arabic script. As their worlds collide, the two wanderers begin an unlikely friendship and they embark on a journey that is great, and as unexpected as Eva's.
I did not get the impression, at any point that Frieda was "adrift". She had a life that was similar to many women I know. Work, boyfriend, travel etc. The bird and the Arabic do not maintain the importance given in the blurb and if what happens between them is "world's colliding", I guess I need to be very cautious in my own. As for "great journey", going to Surrey, Hastings and Victoria Station hardly qualify.
This book had so much potential! What has happened is three completely separate, and truly interesting stories have been squashed together in 370 pages with no chance for any of them to show their true potential. The connections between the stories are all there but have been left distinctly under developed. Even a little historical context would have been better than nothing. It seems the author assumes readers will have the same level of knowledge of the period as she has.
I have come away from this book frustrated at how much could have been done with this story. I wanted to feel more connected with the experiences of all the characters. Irene Guy's connection should have been made specific far sooner so that the reader, having worked it out early on, isn't left suspended and waiting. There are so many ways that this book could have been developed differently that would have resulted in a more fulfilling experience.
This has left me hugely disappointed and it is disheartening to be left with yet another 3 star review from a book I was lucky enough to win.
DISCLAIMER : I received a proof copy of this book
through goodreads and Julia Murday at Penguin UK.
3/5 Stars
Colonel Lewis Morgan is tasked with aiding the rebuilding of Hamburg. He takes
ups residence in a requisitioned house, refuses to evict the German tenants, an
architect and his daughter; and waits for the arrival of his wife, Rachel and
his son, Edmund.
Having never read Rhidian Brook’s work, I had nothing to compare it to, so I relied
on the praise of others who had read his work ahead of me. It is plainly
evident why Brook is so popular. His style is fluid and logical, allowing the
book to be simply readable.
This, however, is the downfall for me. The Aftermath is
simple.
I wanted so much more from this book and the possibilities and opportunities
were there. The characters, though believable, felt under developed. After 300
plus pages, I do not feel I knew any of them terribly well. I knew I was supposed
to like Lewis, Rachel, Edmund and Lubert. I knew whom I was supposed to
dislike. I knew who was supposed to be the antagonist but I never knew what the
characters were truly capable of. In the end, I did not really like any of
them.
Perhaps I am reading or wanting too much from this book; looking for something
that is not supposed to be a consideration. For me, this book only brushed the
surface of what it could have been. I would not have minded this book being
twice its actual size if I could have had more depth, more detail, and more
explanation.
It is difficult to write a logical and coherent review of this book as I am not
completely convinced of its character. For me, the book was good. It did not
open up a new world for me. It did not increase my interest in this period of
history.
I am left to wonder if Brook knows the potential greatness of this work. It feels,
for me, as though he has given his baby to the world prematurely.
Congratulations, also, should be given for The Aftermath
being optioned by Ridley Scott. However, given Scott’s body of work, I cannot
quite comprehend the outcome.
It has been a challenge to write even this short review. I feel I am working
with smoke and kittens; easily blown away and skittish about direction. In short,
I did enjoy this book, I just wish there had been more of it.
